Michael Jackson has allegedly issued demands to the organisers of his comeback
concerts in London, insisting on a choir of children that can perform sign
language, according to reports.

The troubled singer is reported to have made a request to casting agents on behalf of promoters AEG Live, who are behind the 50 dates at London’s O2 Arena from next month, that the group should be made up of “exactly equal” numbers of black, white, mixed-race and Asian children.

An email from Jackson’s promoters to the agents, reported in The Mirror, also insists the group should include six marching snare drummers who must be “young adults, clean-cut and of mixed ethnicity”.

The email reported in The Mirror adds: “They must be real drummers so please do not waste our time suggesting people who are not.”

The newspaper says the child choir must comprise singers ranging from five to 13.

Auditions are next week in London and the children are being paid for their time. The email states: “No past professional experience is necessary...due to children’s work permit laws we will cast more than one choir.”